Are You Dealing with a Chronic Cough? Learn the Potential Causes and Treatments

If you have been coughing for days or even weeks it may feel as though your cough is never going to go away. The truth is that, from a medical perspective, a chronic cough is one that has lasted for at least eight weeks. It is a cough that prevents a person from taking part in the activities they enjoy. It can make it difficult or impossible to sleep thanks to the constant coughing. If you are experiencing this type of cough then it is important to contact Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group at 805-658-9500 as soon as possible so we can help diagnose and treat your cough.

There Are Two Main Types of Chronic Cough

The two types of chronic cough are productive and nonproductive. A productive cough is one that produces fluids and mucus from the patient’s lungs. A nonproductive cough, often referred to as a dry or hacking cough, does not bring up any type of fluid or mucus.

There are many potential causes of a productive cough including COPD, respiratory infection, cold, flue, chronic lung disease, postnasal drip, smoking, gastroesophageal reflux disease (otherwise known as GERD), and other types of viral illnesses.

A nonproductive cough is often caused by environmental irritants like cigarette smoke or fumes from certain chemicals. It can be caused by a cold or flu, and allergies and asthma are other common causes of nonproductive coughs.

Remember This Important Fact About Chronic Coughs

The most important thing for any patient to remember is that a chronic cough is not actually the problem – it is the symptom. In all cases, there is something underlying that is causing the cough. The key is to not just treat the cough but to find that underlying cause and treat it. This is what you can expect when you work with Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group.

The Best Treatment Plan for You Depends on the Cause of Your Cough

When you visit us, the first step will be to learn about your symptoms and to physically examine you. Depending on the specifics, we may then run tests to check for allergies, inflamed airways, asthma, or any other potential underlying cause. Once we have narrowed it down or discovered what is causing your cough, we can come up with a comprehensive treatment plan.

The primary goal of this plan will be to get rid of the cough. The secondary goal is to ensure that whatever the cause of the cough was does not return. We will be open and honest about your diagnosis and your treatment options. The key is to get it taken care of sooner rather than later. Call us now at 805-658-9500 to schedule your appointment.